Falcons owner Arthur Blank respects Colin Kaepernick’s right to protest, but doesn’t believe sitting down for the national anthem at NFL games is the proper venue.
“I think that, without making a political statement, I think with Colin, certainly the beauty of this country is that you have your right to speak up and speak out on issues and that’s a wonderful thing to be able to do that,” Blank said on Thursday, after the first seats were placed in the new Mercedez Benz Stadium.
“I don’t personally think that the way he chose to do it was the best way to make a statement. Too many sacrifices have been made on behalf of the American flag throughout our history that it should always be honored and always be saluted.”
Blank believes the social issues are worthy of protest.
“I understand the issues,” Blank said. “I understand his sensitivity to them. I understand the sensitivity really of all Americans with regard to this issue. I think in that regard we can do better than what we have been doing.”
Falcons coach Dan Quinn he want his players to talk to his teammates first. Either, they all will protest or they all would stand.
“That’s probably very much the way Dan would approach it because that’s how he is,” Blank said. “I don’t know the details of what happened in San Francisco, whether or not coach (Chip) Kelly was aware of what Colin wanted to do before the game or not.
“You prefer for it to be a unified statement if there is one to be made on behalf of the whole team. This was not. They have a lot of players, both caucuasian and African-American, who feel just as strongly about those issues as he does, but would not choose to express it in that way.
“It’s a matter of one of our rights, which is more important, and people will reflect on it. Take what they can and move on.”
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